Universal modular docking platform for portable device

ABSTRACT

An improved mounting platform ( 300 ) holds a variety of electronic devices ( 500, 510, 515 ) of differing sizes and shapes. A customized saddle assembly ( 310 ), designed for a particular electronic device, is affixed to the base ( 305 ) of the platform. The device is then inserted into the saddle and held securely in place by the top surface ( 905 ) of a cam assembly ( 315 ). Buttons ( 325, 326 ) and shuttle ( 925 ) control the raising and lowering of the cam. When the platform is in use, a spring ( 910 ) urges the cam against the back of the device being held. The device is released from the platform by squeezing the buttons together, causing the cam to move away from the device, and sliding the device out of the saddle. In an alternative embodiment, a pressure pad ( 1600 ) is used in place of the cam. A variety of electronic connections ( 335 - 375 ) and other accessories such as a loudspeaker ( 376 ) and a magnetic-stripe card reader ( 330 ) can be included in the platform in order to provide useful interfaces to the device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent is based on an application that claims priority ofprovisional patent application Ser. No. 60/631,006, filed Nov. 24, 2004.

BACKGROUND—FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to mounting or docking platforms, in particularthose used to contain and interact with portable devices such aspersonal digital assistants (PDAs), cell phones, global positioningsystem (GPS) receivers, and other hand-held devices.

BACKGROUND—NEED FOR PORTABLE-DOCKING PLATFORMS

Hand-held portable devices are used in a variety of circumstances—at adesk, in one's hand, and in moving vehicles, for example. When used bythe driver of a moving vehicle, it is both convenient and much safer forthe device to be rigidly mounted on the vehicle's dashboard or console,rather than held in the user's hand. Portable-device docking platformsalso provide connections to external power sources and variousaccessories such as printers and wireless modems. These platforms mayalso include on-board audio amplifiers, speakers, magnetic card readers,bar-code scanners, and the like, that are not normally part of thedevice.

BACKGROUND—PRIOR ART—CELLULAR TELEPHONE CONNECTION DEVICE

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,274 (1996), Braitberg et al. teach a holder andconnecting host device for use with cellular telephones. Base assembliesof various designs hold removable pocket adapters of various designs.Each pocket adapter is designed to hold a particular cellular telephone.The pocket adapter is held in place on the base assembly by a clip whichmates with a latching assembly. The cellular telephone is held in thepocket adapter by a phone retainer latch 286 which secures the telephonein place in the adapter. Various electrical connections are facilitatedbetween the cellular telephone, the base assembly, and the pocketadapter. Braitberg's holder and pocket adapters are designed forcellular telephone use only, and each separate pocket adapter mustcontain a custom phone retainer latch for each phone accommodated.

BACKGROUND—PRIOR ART—FIGS. 1 AND 2

PDAs and other hand-held electronic devices are sold in a variety ofshapes and sizes. Because of this, prior-art mounting platforms designedto hold one device were unsuitable for use with another device of adifferent size or shape. However some prior-art mounting platforms wereable to hold devices comprising a range of sizes. However, theseplatforms suffered from various deficiencies, such as not securelygripping the device in the platform, not being custom-fit to the device,and being awkward to use. These deficiencies are especially importantwhen the platform is mounted in a moving vehicle. Previous attempts atovercoming these deficiencies resulted in a large number of platformdesigns, each of which would rapidly become obsolete.

For example, in my U.S. Pat. No. 5,996,956 (1999), I teach a mountingplatform for holding (docking) and interacting with various electronicdevices, such as PDAs of the kind sold by Palm Computing of MountainView, Calif., USA, and others. The platform secures the device to aconvenient location in a vehicle, for example. The location can be thevehicle's windshield, dashboard, cigarette lighter socket, and the like.

The user interacts with the PDA by pressing the tip of a hand-heldstylus against a touch screen at various predetermined locations. In thepast, such devices normally required two hands to operate. Prior to myinvention, one hand was required to hold the device, while the otherhand manipulated the stylus. When my mounting platform is used to holdthe device, the PDA can be operated by a single hand. This is especiallyuseful when the device is to be used in a moving vehicle, for example.

A front view of the platform of my '956 patent in use is shown inFIG. 1. A PDA 2 with screen 4 and buttons 3 is secured in platform 6 byfixed tabs 10 and movable tabs 12. The bottom edge of PDA 2 is firstinserted behind fixed tabs 10. PDA 2 is then rotated toward platform 6about an axis lying between tabs 10 and containing the bottom edge ofPDA 2. The top edge of PDA 2 engages the lower surface of movable tabs12, springably urging tabs 12 upward. When PDA 2 is fully seated inplatform 6, tabs 12 move downward thus clamping PDA 2 in place inplatform 6.

To remove PDA 2 from platform 6, the user pushes button 13, which liftsmovable tabs 12 upward. This frees PDA 2 to rotate about an axis betweenfixed tabs 10 in a direction away from platform 6. PDA 2 is then liftedin a direction away from platform 6.

FIG. 2 shows platform 6 without PDA 2. Spring 14 extends outward from afront mounting surface 8 in order to force PDA 2 (FIG. 1) into firmcontact with tabs 10 and 12.

While this platform provides convenient and secure mounting for PDA 2,it can accommodate only PDA models with near-identical dimensions. PDAswhich are thicker or thinner, or wider or narrower, require individuallytailored platforms. This limits application of this platform to specificPDA models for which it is intended. Many PDAs of different sizes andshapes are produced by a number of manufacturers and their sizes andshapes are continually changing. Thus the present platform may notaccommodate all models, including future models.

BACKGROUND—PRIOR-ART

A variety of mounting platforms, also called docks or cradles, areavailable from distributors such as Seidio, Inc. of Houston, Tex. USA,Arkon Resources, Inc. of Arcadia, CA, USA, National Products Inc., ofSeattle, Wash., USA, Brodit AG, of Karlsborg, Sweden, GomadicCorporation, of Herndon, Va., USA, and others.

These platforms suffer from one or more deficiencies, such as beingdesigned to securely hold only a limited number of otherwise hand-helddevices, being awkward to use, or failing to securely hold the device.

SUMMARY

An improved platform according to one aspect of my invention includes abase, a detachable saddle, a lever, buttons, and a movable restrainingmember so that when an electronic device is inserted into the saddle,the restraining member is activated by the lever, thereby securing thedevice to the base. Squeezing the buttons releases the device, allowingit to be removed from the base.

ADVANTAGES

The present invention may have one or more of the following advantages.In one aspect, one advantage is to provide a mounting platform thatimproves the ease of access to and use of an electronic device,especially one that facilitates single-handed use of the device. Anotheradvantage of one or more aspects is to reduce the problem ofobsolescence by providing a standardized base platform with areplaceable custom saddle that accommodates a variety of individual handheld devices comprising various sizes and shapes. These can include, butare not limited to, PDAs, cell phones, Global Positioning System (GPS)receivers, and the like. A further advantage of one or more aspects isto provide a clamping feature that is easily operated by one hand, thusreducing the amount of effort required to insert and remove a devicefrom the mounting platform.

These mounting platforms may be held in a user's hand, attached invehicles, or otherwise used for holding a PDA for viewing or forinteracting with the PDA without the need to hold the PDA in the usershand. Common use of the platform is in the practice of law enforcement,transportation, field service and sales, as well as consumer use for GPSvoice navigation, hands-free speakerphone interaction, amplifiedelectronic audio file output, and other uses.

Other advantages and features of various aspects of the presentinvention will become apparent by a review of the specification, claims,and appended figures.

DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a prior-art mounting platform holding a PDA.

FIG. 2 shows the platform of FIG. 1 without a PDA.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of a preferred embodiment of a mounting platformof the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of the platform of FIG. 3.

FIGS. 5A-5C show various electronic devices mounted in the platform ofFIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of a base and saddle of the mountingplatform.

FIG. 7 shows an assembled view of the base and saddle of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 shows details of the mating electrical connectors in the saddleof the preferred embodiment and a typical hand-held electronic device.

FIG. 9 shows an exploded view of the locking and release mechanism ofthe preferred embodiment.

FIG. 10 shows a top assembly view of the mechanism of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 shows a bottom assembly view of the mechanism of FIG. 9.

FIGS. 12-14 are sequential views showing capture and release of anelectronic device with the mechanism of FIG. 9.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 15-15 of FIG. 3of the platform holding and locking an electronic device.

FIG. 16 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the mountingplatform showing the saddle in place.

FIG. 17 is the view of FIG. 16 with the saddle removed.

FIG. 18 shows an exploded view of the locking and release mechanism ofthe alternative embodiment.

FIG. 19 shows a top assembly view of the mechanism of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 shows a bottom assembly view of the mechanism of FIG. 18.

FIGS. 21-23 are sequential views showing capture and release of anelectronic device with the mechanism of FIG. 18. DRAWING FIGUREREFERENCE NUMERALS 2 PDA 3 Buttons 4 Screen 6 Prior-art platform 8Prior-art mounting surface 10 Prior-art tabs 12 Prior-art tabs 13Prior-art button 14 Prior-art spring 300 Platform 305 Base 310 Saddle311 Opening 312 Opening 315 Cam 320 Lever 325 Button 326 Button 330Magnetic card reader 335 Jack 340 Connector 345 Connector 350 Light 355Jack 360 Switch 365 Jack 370 Jack 375 Speaker 376 Grill 380 Volumecontrol 500, 505, 510 Device 515 Key 520 Screen 600 Tab 601 Tab 605 Hook606 Hook 610 Hook 611 Hook 615 Tab 616 Tab 620 Arrow 625 Connector 630Surface 635 Surface 638 Surface 640 Tab 645 Vertical surface 650Vertical surface 800 Connector 805 Arrow 900 Pivot 901 Pivot 905 Wedgesurface 910 Spring 915 Surface 920 Surface 921 Pin 922 Pin 925 Shuttle926 Gap 930 Ramp 935 Ramp 940 Ramp 945 Synchronizing link 946 Axis 950Pin 951 Ramp 955 Pin 960 Slotted hole 965 Slotted hole 970 Spring 975Stop 976 Pin 977 Pin 980 Stop 981 Post 982 Post 983 Post 984 Post 985Edge 990 Edge 992 Surface 994 Surface 1200 Top of base 1205 Datum,Bottom of base 1600 Pressure pad 1800 Shuttle 1805 Spring 1810 Surface1820 Arm 1822 Surface 1824 Surface 1825 Arm 1830 Ramp 1835 Ramp 1840 Pin1845 Pin 2100 Surface

DESCRIPTION Preferred Embodiment—FIGS. 3 to 5

FIGS. 3 and 4 show top and bottom views, respectively, of a preferredembodiment of a mounting platform 300 of the present invention. Themounting platform comprises a custom, replaceable saddle assembly 310,and a universal base 305 having a movable restraining member in the formof cam 315, a cam trigger lever 320, and release buttons 325 and 326(FIG. 4). Base 305 is designed to accommodate a variety ofconfigurations of saddle 310, as described below. A number of optionalhandheld device (PDA) interface features are associated with platform300. These include a magnetic card reader 330, a PDA battery charging,voltage-converter circuit (not shown), a PDA audio output amplifiercircuit (not shown), power input jack 335, a serial port connector 340,a universal serial bus (USB) connector 345, a power indicator light 350,a power output jack 355, a switch 360, a microphone jack 365, an audioinput jack 370, a speaker 375, and a volume control 380. A grill 376(FIG. 4) permits sound from speaker 375 to emanate from platform 300.These features can be located at other positions and in otherorientations on base 305, if desired.

Platform 300 is preferably about 14 cm long, 6 cm wide, 4 cm high at itsproximal (left) end) and 2 cm high at its distal (right) end, as shownin FIG. 3. Platform 300, base 305, saddle assembly 310, cam 315, camtrigger lever 320, and release buttons 325 and 326 are all made of astrong, engineering-grade plastic material, such as ABS or acetal,manufactured by E.I. DuPont de Nemours Company, of Wilmington, Del.,USA, and others.

As shown in FIG. 5A, saddle 310A holds the sides and bottom of anelectronic device 500 mounted on platform 300. Saddle 310 is availablein a wide variety of sizes and shapes (310A in FIG. 5A, 310B in FIG. 5B,and 310C in FIG. 5C), each of which designed to fit a particularrespective electronic device (500, 505, 510), to be held by platform300. In general, saddles 310A, 310B, and 310C have a U-shape withparallel legs and a base or bight portion. The lower side of saddle 310A(FIG. 5A) has a concave round shape so as to mate with device 520A,which has a rounded bottom. Saddle 310B (FIG. 5B) has narrow sides topermit access to all of keys 515B of device 520B. Saddle 310C (FIG. 5C)has a square bottom to mate with device 520C, which also has a squarebottom.

An opening 311 on the rear or bottom side of saddle 310 (FIG. 3) allowsa cam 315 to project above the inner surface of saddle 310. Opening 311is preferably about 2.5 cm wide and 2.5 cm high.

A second opening 312 on the front side of saddle 310 permits access toall components, view screens (520A, 520B, 520C), and other buttons,keys, and the like (515A, 515B, 515C), on the front side of the device(312A, 312B, 312C, in FIG. 5) being held in platform 300. Saddles 310A,310B, and 310C are sized and shaped to provide a snug, sliding fit fortheir intended devices 500, 505, 510, respectively.

Custom, Replaceable Saddle—FIGS. 6 to 8

FIG. 6 shows saddle 310 for holding a device 500, 505, or 510 (FIG. 5),separated from base 305. FIG. 7 shows another view of base 305. A singlebase 305 is suitable for use with a plurality of saddles 310 of the sameor different sizes and shapes. Although saddles 310 have different sizesand shapes to accommodate the various devices, they all are arranged tomount on base 305. Surfaces 630 and 635 restrain device 500 when it ispushed from behind by cam 315 (FIG. 3). Surfaces 630 and 635 preferablyare made of a material that has a high coefficient of friction torestrain the top surface of device 500. Saddles 310 have mounting tabs600 and 601, and hooks 605 and 606 located symmetrically on the otherside of opening 311. Base 305 has hooks 610 and 611 (FIG. 7), and tabs615 and 616.

When it is desired to join a saddle 310 to base 305, saddle 310 is firstmoved into position above base 305. Saddle 310 is then lowered towardbase 305 and tabs 600 and 601, and hooks 605 and 606 (not visible inthis view) are inserted into their respective hooks 610 and 611, andtabs 615 and 616. Hooks 605 and 606 are relieved in such a way thattheir undersides (not shown) slide beneath tabs 615 and 616 on base 305as saddle 310 is urged, in the direction shown by arrow 620, into firmcontact with base 305. Once saddle 310 is slid to its extreme positionon base 305, flexible locking tab 640 (FIG. 6) rotates up and verticalsurface 645 of tab 640 rests against vertical surface 650 of saddle 310,blocking saddle 310 from sliding off base 305. Saddle 310 is thussecurely installed onto base 305.

Saddle 310 contains an electrical connector 625 (FIG. 6) which connectsto a flexible printed-circuit ribbon conductor assembly 630 (FIG. 7) inbase 305. The other end of connector 625 connects to an electricalconnector 800 (FIG. 8) generally available at the bottom of the device(500, 505, 510, FIG. 5) to be held by saddle 310. Thus all pertinentelectrical connections available at the connector of device 500, 505,510, etc. are routed into base 305 for further use.

FIG. 8 shows connector 625 as it is seen from the device side of saddle310, and a connector 800 at the bottom of a generic electronic device.Connectors 625 and 800 are electrically and mechanically joined whendevice 500 (or 505 or 510) is fully inserted into saddle 310, asindicated by arrow 805.

Cam, Shuttle, and Release Button Assembly—FIGS. 9 to 11

FIGS. 9 to 11 show the components of the mechanism that urges cam 315 tomove. FIG. 9 shows an exploded view of a shuttle 925, a synchronizinglink 945, release buttons 325 and 326, and cam 315. Shuttle 925 and link945 are preferably made of the same material as release buttons 325 and326. Cam 315 comprises a wedge surface 905, two symmetrically disposedpivots 900 and 901 (FIG. 11), two bearing surfaces 915 and 920, and twobearing pins 921 and 922, discussed below. Cam 315 rotates about an axisthrough pivots 900 and 901. Cam 315 is springably urged to rotateclockwise in this view by a spring 910. The bottom end of spring 910compressibly rests against a rigid datum or base 1205 (FIGS. 12-14) onthe interior of the bottom of base 305. Two bearing surfaces 915 and 920are formed on the sides of cam 315. Surfaces 915 and 920 bear againstthe inside of top 1200 (FIGS. 12-14) of base 305 when cam 315 is free torotate, thus preventing rotational over travel of cam 315. Wedge surface905 is arranged to have a high coefficient of friction to the bottomsurface 2100 of device 500 and has a side profile including radii R1 andR2 from the axis defined by the centerline of pins 900 and 901. In thiscase, R2 is greater than R1. Forced contact between wedge surface 905and bottom surface 2100 of device 500 (FIGS. 12-14) which has beeninserted into platform 300 implements capture of device 500, asexplained below.

Cam trigger lever 320 is part of shuttle 925. Shuttle 925 includes twofrontal ramps 930 and 935, two flat surfaces 992 and 994 which lieparallel to the direction travel of shuttle 925, and two rear ramps 940and 951 (FIG. 10).

Release buttons 325 and 326 are constrained to move along an axis thatlies parallel to their long dimensions. A synchronizing link 945 isconstrained to rotate about an axle (not shown) located on an axis 946(FIG. 11) positioned halfway between the outer edges of buttons 325 and326. Pins 950 and 955 on synchronizing link 945 are normally positionedin slotted holes 960 and 965 of buttons 325 and 326, respectively. Axis946 is located at the common center line of cam 315 and shuttle 925. Thepurpose of synchronizing link 945 is to facilitate the synchronizedmovement of release buttons 325 and 326. A spring 970 springably urgesbuttons 325 and 326 away from each other. Spring 970 slides over and isheld in place by posts 981 (shown with dashed lines) and 982 on buttons325 and 326, respectively. An optional extra spring (not shown) can bemounted on posts 983 and 984 (FIG. 11) of buttons 325 and 326,respectively, if desired. Normally, spring 970 provides adequate forceto return buttons 325 and 326 to their resting positions, as restrainedby the inner wall of base 305 through which they extend (FIGS. 3 and 4),and stops 975 and 980. Stops 975 and 980 prevent over-travel of buttons325 and 326. Buttons 325 and 326 further include bearing pins 976 and977, discussed below in connection with FIG. 10. When buttons 325 and326 are urged in a direction toward one-another, their travel is limitedby contact between stops 975 and 980 and edges 985 and 990 of shuttle925.

FIG. 10 shows a top view of the components of FIG. 9 in their properpositional relationship when cam 315 is in its “released” position, i.e.urged to its maximum rotational position by spring 910.

FIG. 11 shows a bottom view of the components of FIGS. 9 and 10 when cam315 is in its “released” position.

OPERATION Preferred Embodiment—FIGS. 10 and 12 to 15 Cam, Shuttle, andRelease Button Assembly

FIG. 10 shows cam 315 in its full-clockwise, raised position. Shuttle925 and therefore cam trigger lever 320 are at their left-most positionin this figure, i.e., farthest from cam 315. In this position, ramps 940and 951 are resting against pins 976 and 977. In the absence of downwardforcing by shuttle 925, spring 910 urges cam 315 to remain in itsuppermost possible position. In the absence of an inserted device,bearing surfaces 915 and 920 rest against the inside top of base 305,preventing further rotation of cam 315.

To prepare platform 300 for a first insertion of a device 500, or torelease an already-held-in-place device 500, the user squeezes buttons325 and 326 together, causing pins 976 and 977 to slide along ramps 940and 951, forcing shuttle 925 in the direction of cam 315. As shuttle 925moves toward cam 315, ramps 930 and 935 move slidably on pins 921 and922, respectively, forcing cam 325 to rotate counter-clockwise (CCW)against the force exerted by spring 910. When buttons 325 and 326 reachtheir closest point, cam 315 has been rotated to its most CCW, lowestprofile position, fully lowering wedge surface 905. In the positionshown in FIG. 12, radius RI is directly below lower surface of device500, creating a clearance gap 926 between wedge surface 905 and device500.

FIGS. 12 through 14 show the operation of the cam, ramp, and releaseassembly during insertion and removal of a device 500. Saddle 310 (FIG.6) and various other components have been removed from these threefigures for clarity.

Prior to insertion of device 500, release buttons 325 (not shown in thisview) and 326 have been depressed or squeezed together to their closestposition. To insert device 500 (FIG. 12) it is slid from left to rightalong the inner surface 638 of saddle 310. As described above, shuttle925 has forced cam 315 to its lowest profile position with the surfaceof cam 315 lying beneath the inner surface 638 of saddle 310. Cam 315 isrotationally held in place by pins 921 and 922 landing on flat surfaces992 and 994. Once released from being squeezed, release buttons 325 and326 are then urged back to their outermost positions by spring 970. Pins921 and 922 rest on 992 and 994 respectively, causing cam 315 to remainin its cocked position.

As device 500 is inserted further (FIG. 13) and in contact with insidesurfaces 630 and 635 of saddle 310, its right-hand end urges lever 320to move to the right, away from cam 315 and urges pins 921 and 922 awayfrom flat surfaces 992 and 994 and onto ramps 930 and 935. This permitscam 315 to rotate CCW, urged by spring 910, thus raising wedge surface905 toward device 500. As cam 315 is urged to rotate CCW, pins 921 and922 induce a force on ramps 930 and 935, thus urging lever 320 ofshuttle 925 to its left-most position and away from contact with device500.

FIG. 14 shows device 500 fully inserted. Cam 315 is at its highestposition above the inner surface 638 of saddle 310 and wedge surface 905is in firm contact with the back side of device 500, urged by spring910. Device 500 is restrained from moving in a direction normal to thetop surface of platform 300 by inside surfaces 630 and 635 of saddle310. Since wedge surface 905 has a high coefficient of friction, anyforce introduced to move device 500 to the left will cause cam 315 torotate CCW. Since the profile of wedge surface 905 has an increasingradius as it rotates CCW, the normal forces between surface 630 and 635and wedge surface 905 and device 500 upper and lower surfaces areincreased. In this way, device 500 is securely captured in platform 300.

Device 500 is removed by squeezing buttons 325 and 326 together,reversing the process discussed above in connection with FIGS. 12through 14.

FIG. 15 shows a cross-sectional view of device 500 installed in platform300 having a saddle 310 and a base 305. Device 500 is securely held inplace by inside surfaces 630 and 635 of saddle 310 and surface 905 ofcam 315.

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION Alternative Embodiment—FIGS. 16-23

Instead of a radiused, rotating cam (315 in FIG. 9), FIGS. 16 and 17 usea movable restraining member comprising a flat pressure pad 1600 to holdan electronic device (not shown) in base 305′ and saddle 310 of platform300′. As in the preferred embodiment, saddle 310 is designed toaccommodate a particular electronic device, such as a PDA (not shown).Saddle 310 is secured in base 305′ using vertical surfaces 645 and 650,as described above. Pad 1600 moves to positions slightly above and belowthe upper surface of base 305′ in order to hold and release anelectronic device, as explained below.

FIG. 18 shows an exploded view of a shuttle 1800, release buttons 325and 326, and pressure pad assembly 1600. The mechanism incorporatingbuttons 325 and 326, lever 320, and their operational relationship toshuttle 1800 are the same as described above in connection with thepreferred embodiment.

Pad 1600 is springably urged upward by a spring 1805. The upper surfaceof pad 1600 comprises a surface 1810 that presents a high coefficient offriction to the back side of an electronic device 500 (not shown in thisview).

FIG. 19 shows the elements of FIG. 18 in their assembled condition.Spring 1805 bears against a datum comprising the inner surface of thebottom of base 305′ at one end, and pad 1600 at the other end. Shuttle1800 includes a pair of arms 1820 and 1825 which terminate in ramps 1830and 1835 (FIG. 18), respectively and two flat surfaces 1822 and 1824which lie parallel to the direction travel of shuttle 1800. Squeezingbuttons 325 and 326 together forces ramps 1830 and 1835 to push againstpins 1840 and 1845, respectively. As shown, this causes pad 1600 to belowered, compressing spring 1805.

FIGS. 21-23 show insertion of an electronic device into saddle 310.Other components have been removed from this figure for clarity. In FIG.21, buttons 325 and 326 have previously been squeezed together,releasing device 500. Now, device 500 is to be inserted into saddle 310and base 300.

In FIG. 21, device 500 is first inserted into saddle 310. It has not yetcontacted lever 320. Pad 1600 is at its lowest position beneath theinner surface 638 of saddle 310, creating a clearance gap 926′ betweenpad 1600 and device 500. Pad 1600 is held in position by pins 1840 and1845 resting on surfaces 1822 and 1824 of arm 1825 of shuttle 1800. Asin the first embodiment, the bottom end of spring 1805 rests on datum1205.

In FIG. 22, device 500 has contacted lever 320 and moved it anintermediate distance to the right. Pin 1840 has begun to ride up thesurface of ramp 1835. Under the urging of spring 1805, pad assembly 1600has moved an intermediate distance toward the back surface 2100 ofdevice 500.

In FIG. 23, device 500 is fully installed in platform 300′. Pad 1600rises above inner surface 638 of saddle 310 and presses against backside 2100 of device 500. Surfaces 630 and 635 of saddle 310 contstraindevice 500 in a direction normal to the top surface of platform 300. Topsurface 1810 of pad 1600 presents a high coefficient of friction to backside 2100 of device 500, thereby holding it securely in place inplatform 300.

The above steps are reversed to remove device 500 from platform 300.

SUMMARY, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

Thus it is seen that I have provided an improved universal dockingplatform for a portable device. A plurality of saddles, each uniquelyadapted to the requirements of a particular device, are arranged tomount onto the same platform base with a common clamping means. Insteadof a unique platform for each device, only the saddle is changed. Inview of the constantly changing sizes and shapes of electronic devices,this results in considerable savings in design, tooling, andmanufacturing costs, as well as reducing time to market.

While the above description contains many specificities, it will beapparent that the inventive system is not limited to these and can bepracticed with the use of additional hardware and combinations of thevarious components described. For example, the platform is not limitedto electronic devices but can be used to securely hold any portabledevice or article that can be accommodated by a custom saddle. Theplatform can be mounted on a surface or hand-held. Instead of or inaddition to a magnetic card reader, an optical card reader, a bar-codereader, and the like can be included. Other features, such as an RFID(radio-frequency identification) circuit, a video camera, a disk drive,an extended power source battery, and an audio recorder can be included.Instead of providing two buttons for releasing the movable restrainingelement, a single button can be used. Instead of a coil spring, a leafspring, torsion spring, extension spring, or another energy-storingmember can be used. The materials, sizes, and shapes of the componentscan be varied from those shown and described.

Accordingly the full scope of the invention should be determined by theappended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than the examplesgiven. Also, while the present system employs elements that are wellknown to those skilled in the art of mechanical engineering and hardwaredesign, it combines these elements in a novel way, which produces a newresult not heretofore discovered.

1. A platform for holding a portable device, comprising: a base with amovable restraining member, a saddle mountable on said base, said saddlehaving an inside surface and an opening to permit passage of saidrestraining member through said opening, said restraining member beingmovable between a first position beneath said inside surface of saidsaddle and a second position above said inside surface of said saddle, alever having first and second positions, said first position of saidlever corresponding to said first position of said restraining member,and said second position of said lever corresponding to said secondposition of said restraining member, said lever being arranged to urgesaid restraining member from said first to said second positions whensaid lever is moved from said first to said second positions, and aplurality of buttons, which when squeezed together, urge said lever andsaid restraining member from their said second positions to their saidfirst positions, whereby when said saddle is mounted on said base andsaid electronic device is inserted into said saddle, said device urgessaid lever to move from said first to said second position, in turnurging said restraining member to move from said first to said secondposition, thereby wedging and securely capturing said device, wheninserted into said saddle, between said restraining member and saidinside surface of said saddle, and when said buttons are squeezedtogether, said lever and said restraining members return to theirrespective said first positions, thereby releasing said device.
 2. Theplatform of claim 1 wherein said restraining member is selected from thegroup consisting of cams and pressure plates.
 3. The platform of claim 1wherein the surface of said restraining member is overlaid with ahigh-coefficient-of-friction material.
 4. The platform of claim 1wherein at least a portion of the inner surface of said saddle is coatedwith a high-coefficient-of-friction material.
 5. The platform of claim 1wherein said saddle arranged to be removably mounted on said base sothat any of a plurality of different saddles can be mounted on said baseto hold a respective a plurality of sizes and shapes of devices.
 6. Theplatform of claim 1, further including a plurality of accessoriesselected from the group consisting of magnetic card readers, power inputjacks, serial port connectors, universal serial bus connectors, powerindicator lights, power output jacks, switches, microphone jacks, audioinput jacks, speakers, and volume controls mounted within said platform.7. The platform of claim 6, further including an electrical connectormounted in said saddle for connecting said device to said electricalconnector mounted in said platform.
 8. The platform of claim 6, furtherincluding an electrical connector mounted in said platform forconnecting said accessories to said electrical connector mounted in saidsaddle.
 9. The platform of claim 1 wherein said saddle is generallyU-shaped and comprises a base or bight portion and a pair of generallyparallel legs.
 10. The platform of claim 9 wherein the opening betweensaid legs is smaller on the bottom side than on the top side.
 11. Theplatform of claim 1 wherein said saddle is secured to said platform byfasteners selected from the group consisting of hooks and tabs.
 12. Amethod for holding an electronic device, comprising: providing aplatform having a base with a movable restraining member, providing asaddle mounted on said base, said saddle having an inside surface and anopening to permit passage of said restraining member through saidopening, said restraining member being movable between a first positionbeneath said inside surface of said saddle and a second position abovesaid inside surface of said saddle, providing a lever having first andsecond positions, said first position of said lever corresponding tosaid first position of said restraining member, and said second positionof said lever corresponding to said second position of said restrainingmember, said lever being arranged to urge said restraining member fromsaid first to said second positions when said lever is moved from saidfirst to said second positions, providing a plurality of buttons, whichwhen squeezed together, urge said lever and said restraining member fromtheir said second positions to their said first positions, insertingsaid device into said saddle so that said device urges said lever tomove from said first to said second position so as to urge saidrestraining member to move from said first to said second position,thereby wedging and securely capturing said device between saidrestraining member and said inside surface of said saddle, and squeezingsaid buttons together, thereby causing said lever and said restrainingmembers to return to their respective first positions, thereby releasingsaid device.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein said restraining memberis selected from the group consisting of cams and pressure plates. 14.The method of claim 12 wherein said saddle arranged to be removablymounted on said base so that any of a plurality of different saddles canbe mounted on said base to hold a respective a plurality of sizes andshapes of devices.
 15. The method of claim 12 wherein said platformfurther includes a plurality of accessories selected from the groupconsisting of magnetic card readers, power input jacks, serial portconnectors, universal serial bus connectors, power indicator lights,power output jacks, switches, microphone jacks, audio input jacks,speakers, and volume controls.
 16. The platform of claim 15, furtherincluding an electrical connector mounted in said saddle for connectingsaid device to said electrical connector mounted in said platform. 17.The platform of claim 15, further including an electrical connectormounted in said platform for connecting said accessories to saidelectrical connector mounted in said saddle.
 18. A platform for holdingan electronic device, comprising: a base with a movable restrainingmember, a saddle mountable on said base, said saddle having an insidesurface and an opening to permit passage of said restraining memberthrough said opening, said restraining member being movable between afirst position beneath said inside surface of said saddle and a secondposition above said inside surface of said saddle, a lever having firstand second positions, said first position of said lever corresponding tosaid first position of said restraining member, and said second positionof said lever corresponding to said second position of said restrainingmember, said lever being arranged to urge said restraining member fromsaid first to said second positions when said lever is moved from saidfirst to said second positions, means for urging said lever and saidrestraining member from their said second to their said first positions,whereby when said saddle is mounted on said base and said electronicdevice is inserted into said saddle, said device urges said lever tomove from said first to said second position so as to urge saidrestraining member to move from said first to said second position,thereby wedging and securely capturing said device between saidrestraining member and said inside surface of said saddle, and when saidbuttons are squeezed together, said lever and said restraining membersreturn to their respective said first positions thereby releasing saiddevice.
 19. The platform of claim 18 wherein said restraining member isselected from the group consisting of cams and pressure plates.
 20. Themethod of claim 18 wherein said saddle arranged to be removably mountedon said base so that any of a plurality of different saddles can bemounted on said base to hold a respective a plurality of sizes andshapes of devices.
 21. The platform of claim 18, further including aplurality of accessories selected from the group consisting of magneticcard readers, power input jacks, serial port connectors, universalserial bus connectors, power indicator lights, power output jacks,switches, microphone jacks, audio input jacks, speakers, and volumecontrols.
 22. The platform of claim 21, further including an electricalconnector mounted in said saddle for connecting said device to saidelectrical connector mounted in said platform.
 23. The platform of claim21, further including an electrical connector mounted in said platformfor connecting said accessories to said electrical connector mounted insaid saddle.